Biotech conference picks downtown San Diego

The Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) said the 2013 Pacific Rim Summit on Industrial Biotechnology and Bioenergy will be held in San Diego.

BIO teamed up with Biocom to host the conference, which will take place Oct. 8 to 11 at the Westin Gaslamp Quarter.

San Diego-based Biocom is the largest regional life science association in the world, representing more than 550 member companies in Southern California.

The conference, entering its eighth year, is dedicated solely to growth of the industrial biotechnology sector in Asia and the Americas.

"California is home to a vibrant biotechnology industry, and we are excited to bring this conference to San Diego to highlight the industry's growth and look forward to our partnership with Biocom as well," said Brent Erickson, executive vice president of BIO’s Industrial & Environmental Section.

The conference will highlight how important industrial and environmental biotechnology is for generating clean tech jobs, making biobased products, new transportation fuels and cleaner processes all aimed at building a biobased economy.

"The conference aligns well with our initiatives as it covers the latest advances and research in industrial biotechnology as the industry continues its progress toward commercialization, producing new employment opportunities and jump-starting economic development when they’re needed most," said Joseph Panetta, Biocom president and CEO.